Nicknames, Heisman have gone hand-in-hand

Updated 11:55 pm, Thursday, December 6, 2012

Johnny Manziel's "Johnny Football" moniker is a throwback to the golden era of college football, where having a distinctive nickname helped boost the appeal of players.

Johnny Manziel's "Johnny Football" moniker is a throwback to the golden era of college football, where having a distinctive nickname helped boost the appeal of players.

Photo: Scott Halleran, Getty Images

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Athletes such as Davey “Slingshot” O'Brien, the 1938 Heisman winner from TCU, started the football nickname tradition.

Athletes such as Davey “Slingshot” O'Brien, the 1938 Heisman winner from TCU, started the football nickname tradition.

Photo: COURTESY TCU

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Athletes such as Tom "Old 98" Harmon, the 1940 winner from Michigan, started the football nickname tradition.

Athletes such as Tom "Old 98" Harmon, the 1940 winner from Michigan, started the football nickname tradition.

Photo: AP

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Doc Blanchard (right) and Glenn Davis were known as “Mr. Inside” and “Mr. Outside,” respectively, for Army in the 1940s.

Doc Blanchard (right) and Glenn Davis were known as “Mr. Inside” and “Mr. Outside,” respectively, for Army in the 1940s.

Photo: COURTESY U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY

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Alan “The Horse” Ameche, the 1954 winner, was christened because of his bullish running style.

Alan “The Horse” Ameche, the 1954 winner, was christened because of his bullish running style.

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Ernie Davis, the 1961 victor, was called “The Elmira Express” because he grew up in Elmira, N.Y.

Ernie Davis, the 1961 victor, was called “The Elmira Express” because he grew up in Elmira, N.Y.

Photo: Jack Harris, Associated Press

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Earl Campbell was known as “The Tyler Rose” after the floral arrangements famous in his hometown when he won in 1977.

Earl Campbell was known as “The Tyler Rose” after the floral arrangements famous in his hometown when he won in 1977.

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Sportswriters back in the day loved conjuring up captivating nicknames for their sports heroes. Hence, 1939 winner Nile Kinnick of Iowa was known as “The Corn Belt Comet.”

Sportswriters back in the day loved conjuring up captivating nicknames for their sports heroes. Hence, 1939 winner Nile Kinnick of Iowa was known as “The Corn Belt Comet.”

Photo: AP1939

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Georgia's Frank Sinkwich was known as “Fireball Frankie” when he won in 1942.

Georgia's Frank Sinkwich was known as “Fireball Frankie” when he won in 1942.

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Back when he was a football hero at USC, O.J. Simpson was known as “Orange Juice” or simply “The Juice.”

Back when he was a football hero at USC, O.J. Simpson was known as “Orange Juice” or simply “The Juice.”

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Nicknames, Heisman have gone hand-in-hand

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Johnny Manziel has been blessed with a variety of talents that have helped him develop into the front-runner for the 2012 Heisman Trophy.

His rocket arm, elusiveness, leadership, moxie and improvisational ability have enabled him to become one of the transcendent figures in college football this season.

The Kerrville Tivy product also has an advantage helping him capture the appeal of college football fans during his redshirt freshman season. It certainly has only added to his aura that his “Johnny Football” nickname has captivated the nation.

Manziel's moniker is a throwback to the golden era of college football, where having a distinctive nickname helped boost the appeal of players.

Athletes such as Davey “Slingshot” O'Brien, the 1938 Heisman winner from TCU, or Tom “Old 98” Harmon, the 1940 winner from Michigan, started the tradition.

It spread to Army's one-two rushing attack of “Mr. Inside” Doc Blanchard and “Mr. Outside” Glenn Davis, who sliced through defenses during the glory era of Army football in the 1940s.

Alan “The Horse” Ameche, the 1954 winner, was christened because of his bullish running style. Ernie Davis, the 1961 victor, was called “The Elmira Express” because he grew up in Elmira, N.Y. Earl Campbell was known as “The Tyler Rose” after the floral arrangements famous in his hometown when he won in 1977.

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Sportswriters back in the day loved conjuring up captivating nicknames for their sports heroes. Hence, 1939 winner Nile Kinnick of Iowa was known as “The Corn Belt Comet.” Georgia's Frank Sinkwich was known as “Fireball Frankie” when he won in 1942. And back when he was a football hero at USC, O.J. Simpson was known as “Orange Juice” or simply “The Juice.”

How much would it help Klein's appeal if his resiliency led reporters to calling him something such as “The Band-Aid Man” or “The Human Bruise?” Or, if Te'o's hitting ability inspired fans to call him something descriptive and alliterative such as “The Hawaiian Hammer?”

Manziel deserves to be a Heisman finalist. His victory over then-No. 1 Alabama, capped by his touchdown pass after juggling the center snap, has resonated with the nation and the Heisman electorate.

He's notched big victories and led the Aggies to their best record since 1998.

But being called “Johnny Football” only has added to the allure of one of the most enthralling college football players in recent memory.